Maurice Lee Miller

leaving behind a legacy of kindness, love for nature, and unwavering dedication to his family and faith.

Maurice was born on January 1, 1932 in Moundridge Kansas to Ernest and Stella Miller. Raised on a farm near Hesston Kansas, alongside his brother Don, Maurice often reported he experienced a “happy boyhood”. He walked to a one room schoolhouse in Rural district 49 and attended Hesston Academy for high school. After high school, Maurice served 2 years with the national alternative service program at the Colorado Mental Health Institute and the Los Angeles Department of Charities. He attended Bethel College for his undergraduate education and later earned a master’s degree in Planning from Kansas State University.

In his professional journey, Maurice’s passion for planning, placemaking and his love of the natural environment converged as he embarked on a career that spanned decades. As a planning consultant for Oblinger and Smith, “Mo” created plans for cities and towns across Kansas and Colorado including Wichita, McPherson, Olathe, and Louisville. Mid-career, he transitioned into government, focusing on public sector service. Mo's tenure with the National Park Service, lasting more than 20 years, was marked by his development of plans for myriad national parks across the country, including Glacier, Yosemite, Denali, Bar Harbor, Cape Cod, Hawaii's Volcano National Park and more. Even after retirement, Maurice continued his service to the National Park Service, volunteering at Rocky Mountain National Park during the fall elk rut for many years. Mo’s work increased inclusive access to our parks, while sustaining them environmentally.

Maurice married Marilyn Ferne Kauffman in March of 1958 and raised 3 children. They spent their early years in Wichita KS before moving to Arvada, Colorado in 1972 when Maurice was asked to open a new planning firm in Colorado for Oblinger and Smith. They moved to Boulder in 1984 for Marilyn’s work and then moved to Colorado Springs in 2012 to be closer to their children and grandchildren.

A lover of nature, Maurice dedicated most of his career to the National Park Service and spent most of his free time exploring Colorado. Family trips and activities for the Millers centered around the outdoors – camping, fishing, hiking, skiing and visiting national parks across the country. From the earliest days of his life, Mo was drawn to the quiet streams, radiant sunsets and tall grass prairies of Kansas, where he found peace in the simplicity and splendor of the world. Once in Colorado, Maurice found solace in the majestic mountains, bugling of bull elks and the quaking of aspen trees. In older adulthood, Maurice continued his adventures in nature with Marilyn, his friends and his family. Mo was an avid hiker well into his 80’s often teaching his grandchildren as “Ranger Rick” throughout the adventure. Maurice also enjoyed trips to Hawaii, Australia, New Zealand, and an Anabaptist tour of Europe.

A man of strong faith, Maurice held a deep devotion to the Mennonite Church. He tirelessly supported Marilyn in her pastoral work and volunteered countless hours at church doing whatever was needed. Maurice will be remembered by many who attended Boulder Mennonite and Beth-El Mennonite Church as he warmly greeted parishioners and visitors for over 30 years.

A family man, Maurice’s love knew no limits and his sacrifices were immense. As a devoted husband, he was the steadfast companion and supporter of his beloved Marilyn, sharing in the joys and trials of life's journey together. As a father and grandfather, Maurice was a source of unwavering love and support and dedicated innumerable hours driving carpools, attending extracurricular activities, entertaining children, servicing cars, rocking tired babies to sleep and so much more.

A gentle soul, Maurice had a genuine kindness and selflessness that touched the lives of all who had the privilege of knowing him. He lived his life with grace and humility, never seeking recognition or praise and served as a beacon of patience in a world often marked by haste and impatience. His legacy of kindness, patience, and compassion will continue to inspire us to be better, to love more deeply, and to live each day with greater empathy and selflessness.

Maurice is survived by his loving wife, Marilyn, his children, Michelle (Ky), Monica (Paul) and five grandchildren: Maya, Eliza, Max, Augustus and Stella. He is preceded in death by his son, Michael, daughter, Stephanie, his parents, and his brother, Don (Colene).

A celebration of Maurice’s life will be held on Saturday, June 15th 2024 at 11:00 am at Beth- El Mennonite Church (4625 Ranch Dr, Colorado Springs, CO 80918). A livestream of the service will be available on Beth-El’s Youtube channel Here. Gifts can be sent to Beth-El Mennonite Church with the designation "Maurice Miller Memorial". These funds will be shared between Beth-El and Boulder Mennonite Church for nature-related projects (e.g. benches, shrubs, trees). Mo also would be honored through donations to the Rocky Mountain Conservancy (online Here